6 tips to help you navigate your journey as a woman in tech

When it comes to venturing into a career in tech, figuring out where to start can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re wondering how to begin a career in the technical space, or simply need support navigating your current tech journey, there are some amazing resources out there to guide you.

Technology events such as the AnitaB.org flagship Grace Hopper Celebration, the world’s largest conference for women in tech, brings women from across the globe together to share information, hear powerful speakers in their industry, and network. The conference supports women and non-binary people at all levels of their careers. And it’s virtual—so  individuals around the world can attend no matter where they may live.

Not only can networking and panel events help prepare you for your next tech role, but advice from individuals in similar roles you aspire to can serve as a big boost in your career development. What better way to chart your course than to hear advice from women in tech who have made the journey ahead of you?

Here are six tips from members of Intuit’s Tech Women at Intuit program, which is dedicated to empowering women technologists to advance their careers and inspire each other to innovate.

1. Don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from pursuing your goals.

No one expects you to be perfect, so don’t expect it from yourself. Every engineer had to start somewhere. It’s human to make mistakes, and you can learn from them and grow in your career.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

No one can know everything, and sometimes the “dumb” questions are the ones that everyone’s wanting the answer to. If you don’t understand something, ask someone to explain it. Trust yourself and don’t hesitate. You can only gain from it.

3. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Failure is how we learn, and failing fast means learning fast. Learning to fail reflects a willingness to try, and unless we try, we can’t ever succeed. To paraphrase Thomas Edison, who invented the incandescent light bulb after multiple attempts, I didn’t fail. I found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.

4. Stay curious, take risks, embrace new experiences.

Not only will it help you grow your career, but it will keep it all fresh for you. And when new opportunities arise, you could be the one people think of because you’ve shown you’re open to new things.

5. The tech industry is always changing, so stay sharp in your field.

By the time you learn a new technology, it could already be out of date! Grow your skill set by reading blogs, attending conferences and online classes, and asking for help. Organizations can develop meaningful programs to develop technical talent, which not only supports women but helps diversify ‌ representation and ideas, which often leads to even more innovation. 

6. Immerse yourself in the community that you want to be a part of.

A strong network can help you grow your career and provide a sense of belonging and empowerment. Mentoring is one of the most important confidence builders that can be found day to day on the job or in school. The value of mentorship is irreplaceable. Finding a mentor early on can do wonders for building confidence and translating it into career satisfaction.

Organizations can create mentorship programs that help employees learn, develop, grow and thrive in today’s ever-changing environment. These programs not only help mentees but mentors often learn just as much from their mentees, which can lead to higher retention rates and happier employees.

How to increase representation in STEM careers

While women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, they represent only 27% of STEM workers. Girls Who Code reports that about 74% of young girls express interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and computer science.Creating an environment that encourages girls from an early age to pursue technology fields is essential in advancing their participation in the workforce.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women hold only 18% of undergraduate computer science degrees and 26% of computing jobs. The percentage of women working in computer science-related professions has declined since the 1990s, dropping from 35% to 26% between 1990 and 2013. The United Nations shares that in technical fields like artificial intelligence, only one in five professionals are women.

To combat these numbers and to achieve gender equality, a growing movement has encouraged girls and women to pursue education and careers in STEM. Whether it’s donating to organizations, promoting young women in STEM, volunteering to mentor, or developing company policies that push for more diversity and inclusivity, there’s plenty we can do to continue advancing such efforts to shape the future for many girls and women.